National Urban League's Community Navigtor Partnership with SBA Will Connect Underserved Small Business Owners with Resources They Need to Grow and Thrive

By National Urban League
Published12 PM EDT, Thu Sep 19, 2024
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PHILADELPHIA (February 28, 2022) – As Black-owned businesses struggle to recover from the pandemic, National Urban League and U.S. Small Business Administration today announced a partnership aimed at connecting underserved small businesses with the programs and resources they  need to grow and thrive.

“The COVID-19 pandemic was catastrophic for Black-owned businesses on so many levels, and an equitable recovery requires a vigorous and targeted outreach in the communities that were hardest-hit,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “This partnership between the National Urban League and the SBA relies on the Urban League’s extensive networks of partnerships and community relationships to reach those very businesses and entrepreneurs who have been left behind.”

National Urban League has been selected to serve as a “hub” within the SBA’s Community Navigator Program ― an American Rescue Plan initiative designed to reduce barriers faced by underserved entrepreneurs when attempting to access programs needed to recover from economic crises or to simply start and grow their business.

The partnership was announced in Philadelphia, during a visit by SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman to celebrate minority-owned small businesses during Black History Month.

“I’m thrilled to be in Philadelphia with the National Urban League, one of our new Community Navigators partners who is working diligently to connect underserved businesses with the resources they need to start, grow and thrive,” Guzman said. “It’s invaluable to hear the stories of resilience from entrepreneurs and business owners who benefitted from the American Rescue Plan, and to get feedback about what more needs to be done to help small businesses overcome marketplace challenges as they continue to recover from this pandemic.

“There are more opportunities for small businesses on the horizon thanks to President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the SBA and our local partners will continue to work to make sure entrepreneurs and business owners in Pennsylvania and across the country can continue to create jobs and drive our local and national economic growth,” she said.

A total of 25 Urban League affiliates will serve as “spokes” in the program, delivering technical assistance and providing resources to businesses, through direct contact and existing partnerships with other local organizations who offer services to low- and moderate-income minority and women-owned businesses.  The spokes are organized into five regions, with one affiliate serving as lead spoke for each region.

Urban League of Philadelphia President and CEO Andrea Custis, whose affiliate is a lead spoke, served as moderator for a roundtable discussion with local business leaders.

“I’m proud that we have had the opportunity to showcase the incredible energy and vitality of Philadelphia’s small business community,” Custis said. “Through our Entrepreneurship Center and community partnerships, Urban League of Philadelphia has a strong track record of nurturing some of the most dynamic small businesses in the nation. We look forward to expanding our reach as a Community Navigator.”

In addition to Urban League of Philadelphia, the other affiliates serving as lead spokes are the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Chicago Urban League, Los Angeles Urban League, and Houston Area Urban League.  The other affiliates are: